Scott advances a 10-day sales tax holiday

Gov. Rick Scott announced today in Orlando that he will push for a 10-day sales tax holiday during the 2014 Legislature.

The tax break aimed at “back to school” purchases would allow Floridians to make tax-free purchases of clothes and shoes (up to $100), school supplies like pens and notebooks (up to $15) and computers (up to $750).

The tax holiday is projected to save Floridians some $60 million but it will also cause a one-time hit in state revenues of the same amount.

“Florida families will be able to buy normal school supplies like pens, pencils and paper, as well as computers and clothes without paying state or local sales tax on it,” Scott said in a statement. “By creating this holiday, we’ll help Floridians keep more of their money, while helping prepare every Florida student for another school year.”

It will up to the Legislature to decide the size and scope of the tax holiday. In 2013, lawmakers backed a three-day holiday, which cost an estimated $35 million in state revenue.

Scott’s announcement did not specify the dates of his proposed expanded holiday. But the tax-free dates are usually set in late July or early August, timing the purchases for the beginning of the school year.

The Florida Retail Federation said it was very supportive of the plan to expand the size of the tax holiday.

“It would be a great boost for Florida’s families and for our retailers,” said Rick McAllister, president and CEO of the federation. “It gives many families whose paychecks come on two-week cycles another chance to take advantage of the sales that retailers offer.”

If approved by lawmakers, a 10-day sales tax holiday would be the longest since 2007, when the state had a nine-day tax-free period.

Lloyd Dunkelberger

Lloyd Dunkelberger is the Htpolitics.com Capital Bureau Chief.
He can be reached by email or call 850 556-3542.
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Last modified: January 17, 2014
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